A study was conducted to determine whether dance-trained, television-trained, and regular television viewing audiences would evaluate different approaches to televising dance differently. Three versions of a dance performance were videotaped: (1) version A, a one-camera, one-shot recording; (2) version B, a two-camera, real-time-edited approach,…

Findings of this study on the validity of script reviews in preproduction formative evaluation support the use of script evaluations as a means of identifying program strengths and weaknesses and serving as a guide for revision. Program areas that can be reliably evaluated at the script stage are discussed. (RAO)

An observational evaluation study was made to code 3-, 4-, and 5-year old children's responses and behavior to daily TV lessons. The AEL program, Around the Bend, used a format paced to permit children to respond to instructions. It included a number of different programing techniques (animation, film segments, visitors, art and crafts, animals,…

Analyzes the effectiveness of several popular modes of radio news presentation in enhancing the appeal of the entire news program and the recall of the relevant news story. Indicates that program variations did not significantly affect recall of facts or the evaluation of general appeal of the entire newscast. (MM)

Examines the relationship between narrative structure and production techniques in two television programs, "All in the Family" and "M*A*S*H." Argues that the communicative ability of any television narrative is, in large part, a function of the production techniques used. (PD)

Uses fantasy theme analysis to examine Norman Lear's series "a.k.a. Pablo." Develops an argument demonstrating how a rhetorical vision and its concomitant group consciousness emerged and was sustained throughout preproduction research and collaboration, and how it disintegrated when dramatized first in scripts and then in performance.…

Designed to identify the factors that influence the decision to use slow motion replays of violent sequences in televising sporting events, this master's thesis gathered data through a review of the literature of sports programming and personal interviews. Network policy statements, government reports, and public action committee reports were…

A study examined the organization, content and audiences of four public access channels to determine whether public access on cable television can be described as mini-communication and, if so, whether cable television is fulfilling some of its promises as a mini-medium. Organization was categorized as reflecting little or no hierarchy of…

Surveyed broadcasting departments to determine the kinds of on-air training they provide students. Found that 68 (or 48 percent) of the responding institutions broadcast or cablecast a student-run television news program. (PD)

Discussion of the development of educational radio programs highlights one particular program, "Kid's Corner;" introduces a method to identify and classify the attributes from the radio program; discusses those attributes which were shown to relate to children's judgments of appeal of the program; and suggests implications for…

In recent years, broadcast advertisers have become concerned with the tendency of video cassette recorder (VCR) owners to "zap"--fast forward delete--commercials. However, research has shown that viewers retain some recall of commercials, even with fast forward zapping, and it is to the benefit of advertisers to discover ways of…

This discussion and critique of television programs used in two courses--D102 (vandalism) and M101 (mathematics)--at the British Open University suggests that the television presentation of real life-like raw material can facilitate the comprehension of abstract material inasmuch as it provides concrete illustrations, and provides an opportunity…

In television programing, pacing is generally defined as the relative speed with which a program appears to progress or the rate at which its material is presented. A study examined whether a fast-paced news show would produce a higher degree of accurate recall of content than would a slow paced program, and whether differences in pacing would…

Television programs undergo many revisions from original script to completed pilot. This study analyzed 21 programs which debuted in 1987 to determine whether there were significant changes in the portrayal of women during the production. The results showed little change in gender representation from the original script to the finished program and…

An investigation of structural aspects of television messages focused on the interaction between structure and content in the creation of meaning. A preliminary study using quantitative data analyzed 137 television news stories from the commercial networks on the fighting in El Salvador to determine how structural elements were used by…